Exercise Arrangement

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an exercise arrangement comprising a tiltable body support supported on a roller board. The exercise arrangement includes a tiltable or rockable body support for at least partially supporting a body part of a person. The body support is supported above a roller board, thereby allowing the exercise arrangement to not only tilt, but also to roll freely over a support surface. This arrangement allows users to exercise numerous muscle groups by a combination of tilting and rocking movements, combined with lateral movements. The exercise arrangement is especially suited for balance exercises and increases proprioception by providing a dynamic training environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/ZA2005/000187, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 by the same inventor, whichInternational Application claims the benefit of priority to prior filedSouth African provisional patent application Serial No. 2005/4250 filedMay 25, 2005 and South African provisional application Serial No.2004/10352 filed Dec. 23, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an exercise arrangement. More particularly,this invention relates to an exercise arrangement, to a body support, toa roller board, to an exercise kit, and to a method of exercising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various prior art exercise devices known to the Inventor thatcomprise a controlled rocking or tilting motion to exercise variousmuscles or muscle groups of a person, mostly focusing on the lowerextremities. A shortcoming of such devices is that they are usually notsuitable for use in exercising the upper torso or upper extremities of aperson, as they are designed primarily to be stood upon. In addition,when attempting to use such prior art devices to exercise the upper bodyand upper extremities, the angle of rocking frequently forces the personto adopt an uncomfortable stance or joint angle when approaching any ofthe angular extremes during such rocking exercises. Furthermore, thenumber of muscle groups exercised by such devices are usually limited,as only a rocking or tilting movement is allowed by such prior artdevices due to their static nature. It is an object of the presentinvention to address at least some of the shortcomings of prior artrocking exercise devices, by providing a dynamic training environmentsuited to developing enhanced proprioception and muscle control, formost major muscle groups of the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercisearrangement, which includes: a body support for at least partiallysupporting a body part of a person; a support structure defining a baseon which the body support is supportable, the support structure havingrolling means arranged operatively below the base, in use to permit thesupport structure to roll freely over a support surface; and a pivotpoint between the body support and the base about which the body supportcan tilt in any direction relative to the support surface.

The body support may be in the form of a tiltable exercise device. Thesupport structure may be in the form of a roller board.

The pivot point may be defined by articulation means. The articulationmeans may be in the form of a ball and socket joint defining a pivotpoint in the centre of the ball. Alternatively, the articulation meansmay comprise a concave support seat defined on the support means orroller board within which a convex support surface of the exercisedevice may be receivable. The convex support surface may be in the formof a semi-spherical protrusion.

As another alternative, the support seat or ball may be disposed on anoperatively lower surface of the exercise device, with the support meansor roller board having an operatively upwardly extending protrusion orsocket for engagement with the support seat or ball.

For example, if the body support is in the form of a tiltable exercisedevice, and the support structure is in the form of a roller board, theroller board may define a socket on its upper surface into which thesemi-spherical protrusion is receivable. The socket may be at leastpartially countersunk in an operatively upper surface of the rollerboard. The socket may be defined further by a central cut-out in africtional or abrasive material layer disposed upon or placed on theoperatively upper surface of the roller board. The cut-out may bedimensioned to snugly receive the ball or protrusion in a slightinterference fit manner.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bodysupport, which includes: gripping means providing a grip between thebody support and the body part of the person; and pivot means arrangedoperatively below the body support, in use to support the body supportabove a support surface and defining a pivot point between the supportsurface and the body support about which the body support can tilt inany direction relative to the support surface.

In one embodiment, the body support may be in the form of a board onwhich a body part of a person is supportable. In particular, the boardmay be dimensioned to receive any one or more of a hand, an elbow, anarm, part of an arm, a foot, a knee, a leg or a part of a leg of aperson. In addition, the board may be dimensioned to receive a torso ofa person, including supporting the abdominal area, back, or shoulderarea.

The gripping means may be in the form of one or more handles. Forexample, the gripping means may be in the form of a raised grippingmember, or a cut-out in the board. The gripping means may be defined bya frictional surface such as an abrasive surface, in use to preventslipping of the body part of the person from the body support, when theboard is tilted about the pivot point.

The pivot means may define a protrusion extending operatively downwardlyfrom the body support to define a pivot point on or adjacent to thesupport surface.

The pivot means may be in the form of a semi-spherical, conical orfrusto-conical protrusion extending operatively downwardly from a lowerpart of the body support, for rolling over the support surface.Advantageously, the pivot means may define a pivot point proximal to orat a centre of the semi-sphere, thereby providing a more stable supportplatform than when the pivot point is located on the support surface. Itis also to be understood that the pivot means may be in the form of atleast one roller, castor, or bearing, which is receivable within asocket disposed on the operatively underside of the support means, aboutwhich the body support may pivot, tilt, or roll.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided asupport structure in the form of a roller board which includes: a bodysupport for at least partially supporting a body part of a person; androlling means located below the body support operable to roll over asupport surface.

The rolling means may be in the form of one or more castors or bearings.The castors or bearings may be counter-sunk or recessed into anoperatively lower surface of the body support.

The support structure may have gripping means providing a frictionalgrip between the support structure and the body part of the person. Thegripping means may be in the form of a gripping surface for allowing aperson to grip the roller board. Alternatively, or additionally, thesupport structure may include at least one handle or cut-out whichallows a user to obtain a steady grip on the support structure. Thegripping means may be disposed upon an operatively upper surface of thesupport structure. In one embodiment, the support structure may have adomed operatively upper surface, to facilitate gripping of the rollerboard with one hand.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided anexercise kit, which includes at least one body support as describedabove; and at least one support structure or roller board as describedabove.

The kit may include a roller mat having a smooth upper surface overwhich the roller board can roll. The roller mat may include end stopspreventing the roller board from rolling off its upper surface, therebyto limit the extent of movement of the roller board on the roller mat.The end stops may extend peripherally along substantially the totalouter perimeter of the roller mat.

The invention extends also to a method of exercising, which includessupporting at least one body part of a person on any one of an exercisedevice, a roller board and/or an exercise arrangement, as describedabove and, whilst supporting the body, moving the at least one body partin a lateral direction over the support surface, and/or tilting itrelative to the horizontal, keeping the body elevated above the supportsurface.

For example, if the body is supported on a hand, or on part of an arm,the arm may be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the bodythereby to exercise muscles of the upper body. Additionally, oralternatively, the exercise device of the invention may be tiltedrelative to the horizontal to exercise the muscles of the body, eithercontemporaneously with the laterally inwardly and outwardly movements,or interspersed between such lateral movements.

The invention extends further to another method of exercising, whichincludes supporting either a lower part or an upper part of a body of aperson on any one of an exercise device, a roller board or an exercisearrangement, as described above and, whilst supporting the body, movingthe lower part of the body in a lateral direction over the supportsurface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the bodysupported above the support surface.

For example, if the body is supported on a hand, elbow or a part of thearm, the arm may be moved laterally towards and away from the torso ortrunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body.Similarly, if the body is supported on a foot, a knee, or on part of aleg, the leg may be moved laterally inwardly and outwardly from thetorso or trunk of the person, thereby to exercise muscles of the lowerbody.

Furthermore, muscles or muscle groups may be exercised by the personplacing a body part on any one or more of an exercise device, a rollerboard or an exercise arrangement, as described above and, whilstsupporting the body, attempting to limit the escape of the exercisedevice, roller board or exercise arrangement, from below the person orbody part. As such, the muscles or muscle groups may be exercised byattempting to contain or limit lateral and/or tilting movement of theexercise arrangement, exercise device, and/or roller board.

The exercise device, may be used by itself either in the fashiondescribed above or by inverting it so that the body support is placedfacing the ground and the protrusion extends operatively upwardly, awayfrom the ground. In this inverted form, with a user supporting himselfor herself over the board, gripping the protrusion, muscles or musclegroups may be exercised by the user doing a series of push-ups, balanceexercises, or stability, strength, endurance, co-ordination orproprioception exercises, whilst gripping the protrusion, either withone hand or both hands. Similar exercises may obviously be done usingthe exercise device in the regular fashion, or with the roller board, orwith the exercise arrangement of the invention.

In addition, a combination of the above exercises can be combined toexercise more than one group of muscles during an exercise session. Theinvention is especially useful in attaining symmetry between the rightand left-hand sides of persons using the device.

Furthermore, a plurality of any one or more of the exercise device,roller board, or exercise arrangement may be used in any combinationsuitable for exercising a desired muscle, muscle group, or musclegroups.

By body part is meant any limb, body member, appendage, or upper orlower body portion of a user.

Further aspects of the invention will now be described, by way ofnon-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 a is a three-dimensional exploded view, from below, of anexercise arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing both anoperatively superior exercise device in accordance with the invention,as well as an operatively inferior roller board in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 1 b is a similar three-dimensional exploded view, from above, of anexercise arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing both anoperatively superior exercise device in accordance with the invention,as well as an operatively inferior roller board in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 a is a top plan view of an exercise device in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 b is a bottom plan view of an exercise device in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 3 a is a top plan view of a roller board in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 3 b is a bottom plan view of a roller board in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a medially sectioned view through an exercise arrangement inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a person using the exercise arrangement inaccordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the upper body;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a person using the exercise arrangement inaccordance with the invention to exercise muscles of the lower body;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a person using the roller board in accordancewith the invention to exercise muscles of the upper and lower bodysimultaneously.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally toan exercise arrangement of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exercise arrangement 10 includes a bodysupport in the form of a tiltable exercise device 12 and a roller board14.

The exercise device 12 comprises a substantially circular top boardmember 16 on which a body part or member of a person can be supported,the top board member 16 having operatively upper 18 and lower 20surfaces. Both surfaces 18 and 20 are substantially planar and parallelto one another.

The upper surface 18 of the board member 12 has a cover sheet 22disposed thereupon, as may best be seen in FIG. 4. The covering sheet 22is affixed to the operatively upper surface 18 of the board member 16 bycommercially available adhesive (not shown) and is comprised ofcommercially available rubber sheeting, with a suitable frictioncoefficient. The main function of the frictional covering sheet 22 is toassist users (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) in maintaining their grip onthe upper surface 18 of the exercise device 12 when exercising, asdiscussed below.

The roller board 14 similarly comprises a body support or exercisedevice support in the form of a substantially circular board member 24having planar operatively upper 26 and lower 28 surfaces, with a similarfrictional covering sheet 30 attached to or disposed upon the uppersurface 26 of the board member 24. The function of the frictionalcovering sheet 30 is both to provide users with ample grip whenexercising with the roller board 14 by itself, as well as to locate theexercise device 12 upon the operatively upper surface 26 of the boardmember 24 of the roller board 14 when in combined use as an exercisearrangement 10, best seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 a, 2 a and 2 b, and 4, the exercise device 12includes a centrally located, operatively downwardly extendingsemi-spherical protrusion 32. As may best be seen in FIG. 4, theprotrusion 32 provides a contact surface 34 which serves as a fulcrumfor an operatively second order lever, whether the exercise device 12 isemployed in combination with the roller board 14, or by itself 12.

When in use, it is to be understood that the exercise device 12 istiltable or rockable in any direction, relative to the horizontal, abouta pivot point 36 which is defined within the semi-spherical protrusion32, between the board member 16 and the contact surface 34 of theprotrusion 32. The location of the pivot point 36 is a function of thedimensions of the semi-spherical protrusion 32.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 3 a, 3 b, and 4, the roller board 14has five semi-recessed captive bearings 38.1, 38.2, 38.3, 38.4, and 38.5partially countersunk into the lower surface 28 of the board member 24.The castor bearings are commercially available under the trade nameALWAYSE ENGLAND. The castor bearings 38.1-38.5 allow the roller board 14to be rolled in any lateral direction by a user of the device, asdiscussed below.

The upper surface 26 of the board member 24 of the roller board 14 has acentrally located cut-out in the abrasive sheeting 30 which serves todefine a location point or convex seat 39 (as also shown in FIG. 1 b)for the exercise device 12 to be tiltably or rockably located in. It isto be understood that the location point 39 may be further defined bybeing slightly countersunk in the upper surface 26 of the board member24 of the roller board 14, so as to complement the contact surface 34 ofthe semi-spherical protrusion 32 of the exercise device 12. Thisarrangement prohibits the lateral movement of the exercise device 12when used in combination with the roller board 14 as an exercisearrangement 10.

Alternatively, the above pivot arrangement may be inverted, with theprotrusion extending upwardly from the roller board, while thecountersunk location point or convex seat is located on a lower surfaceof the exercise device (not shown).

Advantageously, the exercise device 12 has a plurality of cut-outs 40.1,40.2, 40.3, 40.4, 40.5, 40.6 defined within the board member 16, bestshown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

As may be seen from FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the cut-outs 40.1-40.6 serve asgrips for users obtain or maintain some purchase on the board 16 whenexercising. The cut-outs are arranged in substantially radially opposedpairs, each pair being arranged substantially equidistantly from acentre point 24 of the board 16. The cut-outs 40.1-40.6 have theadditional utility that they serve to protect the fingers of a user (notshown) by preventing finger injuries when the board 16 of the exercisedevice 12 or exercise arrangement 10 is tilted.

A first pair comprises finger grip 40.1, finger grip 40.2, thumb grip40.3 and thumb grip 40.4. The fingers of the right hand (not shown)extend through 40.3, with the right-hand thumb extending through 40.4.Similarly, the fingers of the left hand extend through the finger grip40.1 and the left-hand thumb through thumb grip 40.2.

Alternatively, should the user wish to exercise another group of armmuscles, the hand grips 40.5 and 40.6 may similarly be utilized.Suitable thumb grips, although not shown, may also be incorporated intothe board member 16.

It is an express aim of this invention that the roller board 14 may beused by itself for a variety of exercises, the exercise device 12 may beused by itself for a variety of exercises, and the roller board 14 andexercise device 12 may be used in combination for a variety ofexercises, including as an exercise arrangement 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, it is evident that a person 42 maychoose to use the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12, or rollerboard 14 in any combination that may be required to exercise a desiredmuscle group, whether forming part of the lower or the upper torso, orany of the limbs.

FIG. 5 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10 to exercisethe muscles of the arms 44, chest, shoulders 46, back 48, abdominalmuscles 50, and general upper torso region 52. An exercise regimen mayinclude moving the arrangement 10 away from and towards the upper torsoregion 52 in a controlled manner, as indicated generally by arrow 54. Atthe same time, or interspersed with the lateral roll movements, theperson 42 may elect to tilt or rock the exercise device 12, as indicatedby arrows 56.1 and 56.2, in order to provide additional strengthexercises to the muscle groups in the abovementioned areas.

FIG. 6 shows a person 42 using the exercise arrangement 10 to exercisethe muscles of the feet 58, calves 60, thighs 62, lower back 64,abdominal muscles 66, and general lower torso region 68. An exerciseregimen may include moving the exercise arrangement 10 away from andtowards the torso 68 in a controlled manner, as indicated generally byarrow 70. At the same time, or interspersed with the lateral rollmovements, the user may elect to tilt or rock the exercise device 12, asindicated by arrows 72.1 and 72.2, in order to provide additionalstrength exercises to the muscle groups in the abovementioned areas.

FIG. 7 shows a person 42 using two roller boards 14 in combination, bymoving them laterally in any lateral direction, indicated generally byarrows 74.1 and 74.2. This allows for a full-body work-out, targetingmost large muscles groups. Although not shown, it is to be understoodthat the exercise arrangement 10 of the invention may also be employedin this manner, as well as the exercise device 12. In the case of theexercise device 12 being used by itself in this manner, the userobviously cannot include moving the device laterally, and most movementswill then be limited to a rocking or tilting motion.

It is to be borne in mind that each of the exercise arrangement 10,exercise device 12 or roller board 14 may be positioned and moved by anyone or more limbs of a person 42, or other regions of the body. Thisallows a person 42, for example, to engage the exercise arrangement 10of the invention with the upper torso area and arms (not shown), whileusing two roller boards 14, one being placed under each foot. Any suchsuitable combination can thus be used, depending on the skill, dexterityand muscle tone of the person 42.

Balancing exercises may also be performed using the arrangement, device,or roller board of the invention, provided persons exercise the requiredcaution in doing so. As such, a person may elect to stand on theexercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12, or roller board 14 with oneor more feet and attempt to maintain their balance while doing so.

Persons may also gain advantage from the invention in exercising theirmuscles groups, while attempting to limit the movement of thearrangement 10, device 12, or roller board 14 during an exerciseroutine. Benefit may be had by positioning and re-positioning the bodyso as to limit the escape of the arrangement 10, device 12, or rollerboard 14 from underneath the person. In this way, target muscles groupsmay be exercised in a strenuous, though controlled, exercise manner.

FIGS. 4 and 5 each also show a roller mat 76, which may be sold togetherwith or apart from the exercise arrangement 10, exercise device 12 orroller board 14. The roller mat 76 is made from a hard plasticsmaterial, which is resistant to abrasion. The roller mat 76 may have alow friction coefficient on the operatively upper surface thereof inorder to allow the roller board 14 to roll relatively freely in anylateral direction thereupon. However, the roller mat 76 may have varyinggrades of abrasiveness (not shown) in order to tailor-make the usethereof for novice, intermediate, or advanced users. The roller mat 76is provided peripherally with end-stops 78 which serve to limit thelateral travel of the roller board 14. This ensures that persons usingthe invention do not hurt themselves or strain or tear muscles orligaments when using the arrangement, device, or roller board of theinvention, either in combination or separately. It is to be understood,however, that users may choose to use the arrangement, device or rollerboard without the roller mat, or with a roller mat lacking end-stops.

The exercise device and roller board may be manufactured from wood, orfrom any suitable high-impact plastics materials, metalliferouscompounds or alloys, or other suitable wear-resistant materials.

The Inventor is of the belief that he has invented an exercisearrangement, an exercise device, a roller board, and a method ofexercising using the apparatus of the invention which is useful inassisting persons in training or exercising muscles or muscle groups,whether for rehabilitative, exercising, or body-aesthetic purposes in adynamic environment. The arrangement of the exercise arrangement allowsthe user to laterally roll and tilt the exercise arrangement in order tostretch and tone numerous muscle groups. Advantageously, as the exercisedevice is tiltable relative to the horizontal or the roller board, theangle of the exercise device relative to the horizontal may becontinuously adjusted during the controlled movements required toexercise the muscles, thereby ensuring that less strain is placed on thejoints and cartilage of persons using the arrangement.

Accordingly, the exercise arrangement of the invention provides adynamic training environment in a closed kinematic chain. This isachieved by providing an unstable platform or body support that can tiltin a multidirectional manner. Accordingly, a unilateral force applied tothe platform or body support will move the apparatus in an oppositedirection, thereby exercising numerous muscle groups when attempting tocontain the movement of the exercise arrangement.

Another advantage is the fact that any combination of the exercisearrangement, exercise device and/or roller board can be used to exerciseor tone muscles or muscle groups of a person using the device. Thisallows for easy modification of training regimens, or customization ofexercise programmes. In addition, the system is useful for persons ofall sizes, ages and weights.

When moving/training in a dynamic environment, a person can strengthenhis or her prime movers (large muscle groups), but at the same timestrengthen their stabilizer muscle groups, as this forms the base forthe prime movers. Stability ball training is one method known to theInventor of placing the body in an unstable environment forcing a personto utilize the stabilizer muscles and to stay balanced in a givenposition or through a particular motion. However, using the exercisearrangement of the invention, a user can increase balance, endurance,co-ordination and stability, thereby increasing core muscle stability.

Surface Electromyography (EMG) was used to compare the effectiveness ofstability ball-based exercises and exercises done using the exercisearrangement of the invention in recruiting the core stabilizers duringbridging exercises. This was achieved by using EMG to measure theactivity of the stabilizer muscles (Transversus abdominus (TA) andMultifidus (MF)) while bridging on a stability ball and on the exercisearrangement of the invention, respectively. The maximum and averagerecruitment of all muscle fibres (TA and MF) were respectively 16% and18% greater on the exercise arrangement of the invention in comparisonto the stability ball.

The Inventor is also of the belief that the exercise arrangement of theinvention allows a person to move in greater ranges of movement duringdynamic exercises. In various sports, sportspersons develop a dominantside and muscle imbalances in the body often occur, and the exercisearrangement addresses such imbalances by correcting body asymmetry,thereby leading to better performance overall.

Advantageously, the exercise arrangement may also be provided as a kitwhich includes the exercise device, and a roller board. The rollers ofthe roller board may be sold separately or as part of the kit, and aroller mat with defined peripheral end-stops which limit the movement ofthe arrangement or roller board may also be sold as part of the kit. Theinclusion of the mat (with end-stops) assists in containing the lateralmovement of the exercise device, roller board or exercise arrangement,thereby to prevent the over-stretching and tearing of muscles,ligaments, or tissues. The size of the roller mat may be tailored tosuit users of different lengths, weight, or ages, and a number ofpre-defined sizes of roller mat may be sold as part of the kit, orseparately.

1. An exercise arrangement including: a body support in the form of atiltable exercise device for at least partially supporting a body partof a person: a roller board defining a base on which the body support issupportable, the roller board having rolling means operatively arrangedbelow the base, in use to permit the support structure to roll freelyover a support surface; and a pivot point between the body support andthe base about which the body support can tilt in any direction relativeto the roller board.
 2. The exercise arrangement of claim 1, wherein inthe pivot point comprises articulation mean in the form of a ball andsocket joint defining the pivot point in the centre of the ball.
 3. Theexercise device of claim 2, wherein the ball is disposed on anoperatively lower surface of the exercise device, with the roller boardhaving a socket projecting operatively upwardly for engagement with theball.
 4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the socket is at leastpartially countersunk in an operatively upper surface of the rollerboard.
 5. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the socket is definedby a central cut-out in a frictional or abrasive material layer disposedupon or placed on the operatively upper surface of the roller board. 6.A body support for at least partially supporting a body part of aperson, the body support comprising a board on which a body part of aperson is supportable, the board having gripping means providing a gripbetween the board and the body part of the person, the board havingpivot means arranged operatively below the board, in use to support theboard above a support surface and defining a pivot point between thesupport surface and the board about which the body support can tilt inany direction relative to the support surface.
 7. The body support ofclaim 6, wherein the gripping means is in the form of one or morehandles.
 8. The body support of claim 6 wherein the gripping means isdefined by a frictional surface or abrasive surface, in use to preventslipping of the body part of the person from the support means, when theboard is tilted about the pivot point.
 9. The body support of claim 6,wherein the pivot means includes at least one roller, castor, orbearing, which is receivable within a socket disposed on the operativelyunderside of the support means, about which the body support may pivotor tilt.
 10. A roller board including: a body support for at leastpartially supporting a body part of a person, the body support includinggripping means for providing a frictional grip between the body supportand the body part of the person; and rolling means located below thebody support operable to roll over a support surface.
 11. The rollerboard of claim 10, wherein the gripping means is in the form of agripping surface disposed upon an operatively upper surface of the bodysupport to provide sufficient purchase for a person to grip the rollerboard.
 12. The roller board of claim 10, wherein the body supportincludes at least one handle or cut-out which allows a user to obtain asteady grip on the body support.
 13. The roller board of claim 10,wherein the body support has a domed operatively upper surface, tofacilitate gripping of the board with one hand.
 14. An exercise kitincluding: at least one body support as described in claim 6; and atleast one roller board as claimed in
 10. 15. The exercise kit of claim14 which includes a roller mat having a smooth upper surface over whichthe roller board can roll.
 16. The exercise kit of claim 15, wherein theroller mat includes end stops preventing the roller board from rollingoff its upper surface, thereby to limit the extent of movement of theroller board on the roller mat, the end stops extending peripherallyalong substantially the total outer perimeter of the roller mat.
 17. Amethod of exercising, which includes supporting at least one body partof a person on or over an exercise arrangement as claimed in claim 1,and, whilst supporting the body, moving the at least one body part in alateral direction over the exercise arrangement, and/or tilting itrelative to the horizontal, keeping the body supported above theexercise arrangement, wherein a body support of the exercise arrangementis tilted relative to the horizontal to exercise the muscles of thebody, either contemporaneously with laterally inward and outwardmovements, or interspersed between such lateral movements.
 18. Themethod of exercising as claimed in claim 17, which includes supportingeither a lower part or an upper part of a body of a person on theexercise arrangement, and, whilst supporting the body, moving the loweror upper part of the body in a lateral direction over the supportsurface, and/or tilting it relative to the horizontal, keeping the bodysupported above the support surface.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein,if the body is supported on a hand, elbow or a part of the arm, the armis moved laterally towards and away from the torso or trunk of theperson, thereby to exercise muscles of the upper body, and, wherein, ifthe body is supported on a foot, a knee, or on part of a leg, the leg ismoved laterally inwardly and outwardly from the torso or trunk of theperson, thereby to exercise muscles of the lower body.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the muscles or muscle groups are exercised by theperson attempting to contain or limit lateral and/or tilting movement ofthe exercise arrangement.